Frederick Douglass Birthplace Sojourn

Explore the little known birthplace site of the great African-American patriot, Frederick Douglass.  Douglass was born a slave on the Anthony farm, in a cabin at the head of Kentucky Ravine, near the banks of the Tuckahoe.  His autobiographies and other accounts describe historic sites along the rivers -- Hillsboro, Denton, Tuckahoe, Muddy Shore, Kentucky Ravine, Levi Lee’s Mill, Tapper’s Corner.

Douglass’s master moved moved him from the Tuckahoe before he reached his teens, first to Lloyd estate on Wye River, and later to Baltimore. He escaped north to freedom in 1838. Forty years later, he made a pilgrimage to his birthplace on the Tuckahoe.

This is a guided trip sponsored and led by the Old Harford Town Maritime Center (OHTMC).  Private property owner permission for this trip must be obtained in advance by OHTMC.  Write to director@riverheritage.org for trip schedules.

Read the Story of Frederick Douglass’s birthplace on the banks of the Tuckahoe.

Distance:

2.6 Miles

River:

Tuckahoe

Start:

Stoney Point

Destinations:

Kentucky Ravine

Route Description:

Launch at the Caroline County public landing at Stoney Point. Paddle downriver 1.3 miles to the mouth of the creek at Kentucky Ravine

Themes:

African-American History

Best Seasons:

Any

Sites on This Trip Itinerary

Site

Miles From Start

Features

Stoney Point

0.5

Historic river landing

Wayman Wharf

1.6

Historic landing and steamboat turnaround point; marine archeological site

Long Point

2.4

”Warping place” for sailing vessels

Frederick Douglass Birthplace

3.0

Birthplace of African-American patriot

 

River Trip
Itineraries on the:

 Lower
Choptank

Middle
Choptank

Upper
Choptank

Tuckahoe
River

Planning
Guides